Annie in Darfur

My Annie is in Darfur covering the situation there. The ethnic violence has now stretched to Chad, where refugees have been fleeing for succor. Anne Curry's poignant report on a rape survivor on Monday night underscores the pre-meditated nature of the genocide- rape victims are being bitten and otherwise scarred as a physical reminder to all that they have been violated. In the decidely "unmodern" culture that exists in the area, this is devastating. Women are shunned, not pitied, for their plight.
During rape, they are also told by the Janjaweed (who have been in Sudanese uniforn, an obvious indication of collusion by the government of Sudan) that their race will be exterminated. I am astounded at the powerlessness of the UN in this situation. Their impotence is there for all to see. No one in the world seems to regard this body with any respect anymore. In all these months, all they have been able to accomplish is much talk, no action.

I am also struck by the hopelessness of these women. Our problems as working people in a tough city like New York appear trivial compared to women who have nowhere to run, no prospect of tenderness, and no view of a bright economic future on the horizon.

Anne has been in Darfur and Chad chronicling their suffering, which I feel, on the ears of whom it counts, have fallen as nothing.

I once heard a black CBS producer, sent to produce a Carnival report in Trinidad, complaining about a shot of a mass of my people dancing: that it "wasn't pretty". I guess that's the crux of the matter: dark, scarred, woolly-haired, dirty, unpretty people don't inspire the ones in power, light-haired, light-eyed, suited, to act.

I'm also ashamed of myself: of getting so bogged down in my life that I have ignored my own brothers and sisters. That will change.
Starting now.

Anne Curry's report follows.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15718844/